SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CA (October 22, 2025) — A suspected DUI crash in San Joaquin County left three family members dead, including two young children, and injured two others late Sunday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Accident Details: The collision occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Mariposa Road near Dodds Road in unincorporated southeast Stockton. CHP investigators said two SUVs collided head-on when one driver crossed into oncoming traffic.
Inside one of the vehicles were five family members: 22-year-old Jonathan Jose Corona Chavez, his partner, and their three young children. Corona Chavez died at the scene, while 2-year-old Xtaly Corona Miranda and 4-year-old Ariella Corona Miranda later died at the hospital. The children’s mother survived with major injuries and was transported for emergency care.
The driver of the other SUV was treated for moderate injuries and later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Officers believe impairment caused the vehicle to drift into the opposite lane, leading to the deadly impact.
Mariposa Road was shut down for several hours while officers documented evidence and cleared wreckage from both vehicles.
Investigation: CHP continues to examine evidence to determine the driver’s level of impairment and speed at the time of the crash. Toxicology results are pending, and investigators are reviewing roadway markings and vehicle data to establish the point of impact.
Witnesses who may have seen the suspect’s vehicle before the crash are encouraged to contact the local CHP office. Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s name as the investigation remains active.
Legal Considerations: DUI-related crashes frequently lead to criminal and civil consequences once responsibility is established. In this case, the driver suspected of impairment may face multiple felony counts, including vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence causing death or injury.
The surviving family members could also pursue claims related to medical treatment, funeral costs, and the loss of financial and emotional support. Insurance carriers and courts often rely on CHP’s reconstruction findings to determine liability and damages in such cases.
Incidents like this have renewed attention to impaired driving enforcement across California’s Central Valley, where rural highways can quickly turn deadly when judgment is impaired.
Our thoughts are with the loved ones of Jonathan Jose Corona Chavez, Xtaly Corona Miranda, and Ariella Corona Miranda during this heartbreaking time.
Source: CBS News Sacramento